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Animal-World > Small Animal Pets > Pet Rabbits > English Spot Rabbit
English Spot Rabbit
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English Spot Rabbit

Family: Leporidae Chocolate English Spot RabbitOryctolagus cuniculusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy: Nathan Hager
Latest Reader Comment - See More
We live in Eugene OR on a half acre in front of a 2 acre field. One day about three weeks ago this lovely bunny showed up in our yard.He is not wanting to be... (more)  Christine

  The English Spot Rabbit is prized for its beauty and graceful appearance!

Contents

   English Spot rabbits are mid-sized rabbits that are very active. They eat very little compared to most breeds its size. This, along with their love for running and jumping, contributes to the breed's long, slender build.

   The English Spot Rabbot has a generally calm disposition and tolerates other pets very well. When handled starting at a young age, they can make good pets. But they are not the best choice for small children due to their high energy level.

   English Spot does are known for being great mothers. Sometimes they will even raising young rabbits of other breeds in addition to their own litters.

For more information about Rabbits and their care see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Rabbit


Scientific Classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Lagomorpha
  • Family: Leporidae
  • Genus: Oryctolagus
  • Species: cuniculus

Background:

   The origins of the English Spot are uncertain. It is believed to be a descendent of the English Butterfly, and is known to go back to at least the mid-1800s. The breed was brought to the United States in 1910. Once sporting patches of color, the English Spot was selectively bred to achieve today's spotted pattern.

Description:

   The English Spot's body has a full arch and long, slender limbs that are perfect for running. Its head is well proportioned with the rest of the body, and its ears are fairly long, colored and upright.
   The most important feature in the English Spot is its markings. Only half of the rabbits most litters have the traditional markings, with spots and a stripe down the back. These are the only ones that are featured in shows. The rest of the average litter is split between solid-colored and partially marked rabbits.

Color differences:

   Recognized varieties of the English Spot include black, blue, chocolate, gray, gold, lilac, and tortoise. All of these names refer to the rabbit's spots, as no background color other than white is permissible.

Availability

   English Spots are reasonably easy to find, especially if you aren't looking for show quality. Prices range from $5 for pet quality rabbits to $50 for show and breed stock.

References

Photo contributed by: Nathan Hager of 4 Ever Friends Rabbitry
"English Spot Rabbit", Copyright 2001-2008 Bryntel Technologies
"What Is the English Spot", Copyright American English Spot Rabbit Club
"English Spot FAQ", "English Spots for Sale", Copyright 2002-2008 Stephanie Bartlett
"For Sale", Copyright GloryAcres.net
"List of Rabbit Breeds", Wikipedia, Copyright 2008

Lastest Animal Stories on English Spot Rabbit


Christine - 2020-07-09
We live in Eugene OR on a half acre in front of a 2 acre field. One day about three weeks ago this lovely bunny showed up in our yard.He is not wanting to be touched or petted and is very skittish.I have asked around a large neighborhood area where we live,looked on C list for lost rabbit and nothing so far. He has taken to living under our deck so we put a bowl of water out and add fresh daily. We have a sort of bird and squirrel open habitat around our place with three watering stations and four seed and feed stations. We have been giving him some fruits and fresh veggies daily on a small plate under the edge of the deck. He is out and runs all over during the day around four houses around us and in the field eating wild grasses and wild flowers? He is too smart for a live trap as we baited two different sized ones, caught four possums and relocated them, but still no bunny. He is on our back deck in the mornings a lot but as soon as we open the door, gone like a flash. Is there any more we can do for him? We do worry about him freezing during the winter here? Thanks for any helpful input. Christine

Reply
:) - 2014-03-26
I have an English Spot rabbit because we found him in a park nibbling at some grass. He had owners before us but they didn't want him (I don't know how it's possible not to want my bunny!) and they had him litter trained for us. I have learned lots from my rabbit and I have studied English Spots so ask me any questions you may have about them and their behaviours, what they eat, etc. Reply with any questions you may have or stories about your rabbit or small habits your rabbit might have (I like learning new things so I can take care of my rabbit better). Thanks everyone.

  • Melissa Orchard - 2017-08-22
    Hi I just got an English spot male desexed 1yr old. He wss friendly first 2 days. But is getting aggressive. Nipping & biting very hard.
Reply
John T. - 2011-10-25
Our family inherited an Engilsh Spot rabbit a few months ago. I built a pen for her outside up off the ground about for feet. I built walls on hinges so they can fold down and a solid roof. My question is, should I put in a heat lamp for her because tempature can go down to high 20's to low 30's. Is there anyone out there that can answer my question. I've looked on a lot of websites and no answer yet. Thanks.

  • Charlie Roche - 2011-10-26
    Yes, put a heat lamp in. That is cold. You can place the lamp so it doesn't hit the entire area but one end of it so your bunny can move around to a place where the heat from the lamp is comfortable for them.
  • :) - 2014-03-26
    I would put a heat lamp in, just in case. My rabbit doesn't seem to be affected by the cold and happily runs about in 20-30 degrees celsius. I let my rabbit spend his evenings inside the house where it's warm. He changes completely when he's inside. He changes from the energetic, curious rabbit to the relaxed, sleepy, affectionate rabbit. It's adorable!
Reply
Kendra - 2008-07-04
These Rabbits look very cool and I love the spot designs on them!

  • Hev - 2011-05-01
    Same here, they're so loving and nice sounding, I want one.
  • Jillian - 2011-12-04
    Well, yes they are. I have a 2 year old English Spot named Violet, and she is adorable. :) She loves to dig a hole right underneath our Butterfly bush in our backyard, and also enjoys snow. Some of them aren't very playful or like to jump. They also LOVE to destroy newspaper and cardboard. It would be best to get your bunny a wicker house, a LOT of chew toys, and put a blanket in it. Also, they are extremely fast runners. She is over-weight though, so if you know what I could do about that, please comment on this. Thanks. :)
  • Becca - 2012-05-09
    Just gradually start feeding less and less pellets, until your bun is kept on a hay based diet. Remember, this must be very gradual. If your bun starts to lose weight, that's great! If you want, you can slowly introduce the pellets again once she's normal weight again, but you can also just keep her on hay. Hope it helped!
  • Becca - 2012-05-09
    Oh I almost forgot, if you get your rabbit back on pellets, make sure you are feeding less than before, because this is probably why your bun became overweight in the first place. Also make sure the pellets you are feeding her are low in carbon (about 5%) and high in fiber (about 15%-20%)
  • :) - 2014-03-26
    Also, it's easier to stop an English Spot from getting overweight than many other breeds of rabbits the same size. English Spots also love jumping around and running. They are slender in body shape and beautiful. Uh oh. I'm sounding like my english teacher. Anyway, English Spots are the best and I have one myself. I don't know what I would do without him.
Reply
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